Podcast
4 October 2018 1996 comments
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Will Thomas is among Fantasy Football’s rare polymaths, with the ability to excel in two different formats, Fantasy Premier League and Sky Fantasy Football.

In FPL he has five top 10,000 finishes including overall ranks of 753 and 82, while on Sky he has breached the top 100 on four occasions.

But as Will explains in our latest Meet the Manager video interview, juggling two different formats can have its pitfalls as well as its advantages.

He chats to me about his strategies for success and how to achieve a top finish. We also look back on his 2017/18 campaign, in which hedging his picks across two formats cost him dearly in FPL.

In addition, he reveals how Sky’s patient approach, due to limited transfers, as well as its focus on fixtures with multiple captaincy selections allowed, has helped Will to excel across most of his FPL career.

Will’s views on the current season also prove illuminating, including why managers need to take advantage of an unusually high number of budget gems this term.

He also reveals why he is shunning Harry Kane and is instead pinning his hopes for success on another, far cheaper, striker.

With a current FPL rank of 26,711, he looks to be already on his way to another strong season.

The chat with Will is available to view on Youtube here and in the embedded video below.

The first Meet the Manager video, featuring Triggerlips can be viewed here, while the second, featuring Philman, can be seen here.

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  1. Mortiis
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Patricio
    Alonso TAA Trippier
    Hazard Salah Lucas Fraser
    Aguero Mitrovic Wilson

    Hennessey Wan-Bissaka Bennett Hojbjerg

    2ft
    Should I do Hennessey to Hamer to free up some money?
    Will want to do Trippier to Mendy and get Richarlison in at some point

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  2. stat
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Who do you think scores more points this GW?
      A) Mane
      B) Aguero

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      1. Monya Meow Meow
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        I think Kun will

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      2. George James
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Very tight that. Kun if pushed

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      3. Bobby_Baggio
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Kun

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      4. Marty McFly
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        2
        2

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      5. Bonus magnet
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        0-0 so mane better

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    • zizzou123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Aguero to Kane for a FT or Wilson to Vardy instead ? Latter more long term and I don't own Maddison :/

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      1. Monya Meow Meow
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Wilson to Vardy

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      2. Bobby_Baggio
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Wils > Vardy

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      3. Don Kloppeone
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        How much do you have itb?!

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        1. zizzou123
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          2.7 itb

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    • Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      My oh my ....what to do with defence?

      Thinking
      Patricio (foster)
      Alonso trippier and Robbo/Doherty/AWB
      Hazard Fraser Silva Mane (Fellaini)
      Zaha Aguero Wilson

      Which 3rd defender? Do I drop Robbo, or do I play 4 at back and drop mane/Silva .....

      Is it a bench boost play?

      Having teams play each other that swallows squad (4 in city pool and 4 in palace wolves hits me)

      The late nighters thoughts??

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      1. LSK
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Not many will agree but I would play Fellaini this week as Newcastle struggled from set plays against Leicester. Defenders I’d go for Alonso, Trippier and Robertson for attacking potential and because it’s a lottery between the other two imo. Could go either way.

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        1. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Who’d you drop for Fellaini?
          Concerned he could be on the bench .... played full matches the last few..

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          1. LSK
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            I guess that’s a worry. I’d just risk it rather than go with double Bournemouth attack but if you’re not feeling it don’t change on my account.

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            1. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              My swap would be zaha out .... Fellaini in....
              palace haven’t scored at home yet....

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      2. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Actually (foster) is (Fabianski)
        Forgot I’d done a transfer on Sunday

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    • Four Hit Wonder
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Mitro to Giroud.

      Mad or visionary?

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      1. CloudSky
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Mad if it doesnt pan out, visionary if it does.

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      2. rojojojo
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Mad. At 0.8m less (or more depending on your selling price), Mitrovic has more shots per 90 mins, twice the amount of expected goals per 90mins, and after Arsenal, has a run of Cardiff (A), Bournemouth (H) and Huddersfield (A)

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    • Bobby_Baggio
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Bit stuck on what to do here chaps. 1.5m ITB

      Patricio
      Alonso - Luiz - Trippier
      Salah - Fraser - Mane - BSilva
      Wilson - Aguero - Mitro

      (Hamer) - AWB - Bennett - Stephens

      A) Mane + Mitro > 5.6m + Kane
      B) Salah + Mitro > 8.8m + Kane
      C) Mane > Haz
      D) Salah + Mitro > Haz + Laca
      E) Anything else

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      1. The White Pele
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        C

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    • Fantasynørden
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Bench one:
      A) Robertson
      B) Wan-Bissaka
      C) Doherty

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      1. Monya Meow Meow
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Same dilemma and currently AWB on bench.
        Zero confidence though.

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      2. Bobby_Baggio
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        don't like choosing the expensive one but A this week

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      3. SlowStart
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        A

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      4. Rage Against The Raheem
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        B (i have all 3 and benching AWB myself) A on the bench would make the Pool game hard to watch as he always looks like getting an assist with all those balls into the penalty box. Last game, or one before, one of his crosses hit the cross bar, so close to a goal.

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    • wildnothing
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Feedback on this wc draft please.

      Leno Fabianski
      Doherty AWB Maguire TAA Duffy
      Hazard Lamela Fraser Richi Maddison
      Kane Laca/Firmino Vardy

      2.0 itb and planning to do Kane/Lamela - - > Salah/Arnie

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      1. Gazpilicueta
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        not enough patricio.

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    • MTPockets
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Is Salah pronounced as Sala or Salar?

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        1. the snazzy viking
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          pronounced as Salar I guess

          but basically just more emphasis on the 'ah' as if it's a hard r

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        2. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Salach

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        3. Gazpilicueta
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Sah-Lah

          like valor

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        4. CloudSky
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Salah.

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        5. Over The Mounié
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Sailor?

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          1. MTPockets
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Maybe in the blue oyster bar

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          2. The White Pele
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Salaah

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          3. Four Hit Wonder
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Sa-LAAH

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            1. Four Hit Wonder
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Actually more accurate would be
              Sa-LAA

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              1. Werner Bremen
                • 7 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                Great nam you have

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        6. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Trusting in Palace's clean sheet more than Wolves'. Anyone with me?

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          1. COYS Down Under
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Nope

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          2. the snazzy viking
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            well AWB most likely gets 3 baps if he does, so that's why I'm playing him

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          3. Team Cruel
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            No. Palace haven't scored at home and Wolves' recent xG conceded is quite low.

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            1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Why is that relevant? Tgey will almost surely score vs Wolves imo

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              1. Team Cruel
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                Is that actually a serious question? Palace have failed to score in their three home games, two of which were against rubbish teams like Soton and Newcastle. And Wolves' defence is much better than those two teams. I can't help you further if you're failing to see why this is relevant in deciding which team is more likely to keep a CS this weekend.

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          4. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            One of my dilemmas ....

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          5. Don Kloppeone
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Atm no but it’s a killer. Also have Robbo in the mix

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          6. Reedy
            • 15 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Other way around for me

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            1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Yeah I saw that a lot of people here think like that

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          7. doublyG
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            No

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          8. MTPockets
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Playing Doherty over AWB

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            • Rage Against The Raheem
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Wolves don't concede many goals and a better team imo..wolves more likely to score, 0 - 1 I think

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            • Tempestic
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              I am with WanB vs Bennet, although I'd probably go Doherty over both if I had him.

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          9. barcaa7
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Kun + Salah --------------> Kane + Hazard (-4)

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            1. FplBerg
              • 16 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              I would

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            2. doublyG
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              No other way to get Hazard in?

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          10. SlowStart
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Playing 4-3-3 atm, would like to switch to 3-4-3.

            Current team;

            Ederson (Hamer)
            TAA, Laporte, Alonso, Pereira (AWB)
            Richarlison, Mane, Hazard (Jorginho, Billing)
            Aguero, Zaha, Firminio

            Potential Transfers

            GW8 Zaha > Mitrovic
            GW9 Alonso > Doherty (or someone else 5.0 or less)
            GW10 Jorginhio > Maddison
            GW11 Mane > KDB, Lapotre/ Ederson > (?) -4pts
            GW12 Mitrovic > Arnie

            Any thoughts appreciated.

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          11. Gazpilicueta
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Trent and Laporte on my bench, bad idea?

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          12. doublyG
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Zaha -> Mitro for free?

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            1. SlowStart
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Thats my plan for this week. Then Mitro > Arnie GW12.

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              1. doublyG
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                Mitro's fixture dont turn too nasty to get him out so soon. I'll be doing Wilson -> Arnie in GW10

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          13. Oggle22
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            G2G? -8 Salah, Zaha & Gundagon to Maddison,Gudmundsson(1 week then Fulham mid) and Kane

            Ederson
            Trippier(vc) Alonso Shaw
            Mane Moura Madd Gudmundsson
            Aguero Kane(c) King

            Foster AWB Romeu Stankovic

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            1. doublyG
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              This is crazy

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              1. Oggle22
                • 9 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                Don’t want to miss the Kane hattrick and don’t want to risk transferring Kun out?

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            2. Collie01
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              -8 to get rid of Salah before his fixtures seems odd

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              1. Oggle22
                • 9 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                Don’t want to miss the Kane hattrick and don’t want to risk transferring Kun out?

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            3. COYS Down Under
              • 10 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Taking a -8 hit for a player you're immediately going to transfer? Just get the Fulham mid and be done, that way you can save the FT next week.

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              1. Oggle22
                • 9 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                Don’t want to miss the Kane hattrick and don’t want to risk transferring Kun out?

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          14. COYS Down Under
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Pick 2:
            A) Fraser - wat
            B) Roberston - MCI
            C) AWB - WOL
            D) Doherty - cry

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            1. Reedy
              • 15 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              I'd play A and D

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            2. the snazzy viking
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              same dilemma

              currently on AC

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          15. Collie01
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            In a dilemma whether to go the Kane or Salah route.

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            1. rjcv177
              • 10 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Kane owner and salah avoider...but long term the egyptian better option IMO

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          16. That Was Easy!
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            FH activated, see how she goes. Not going to beat myself up if it doesn’t come off.

            Hart
            Rudiger Shaw Trippier
            Hazard Son Ozil Gudmudsson
            Kane Lacazette Arny

            Hamer; Doherty, Obiang, 3.9

            Anyone have suggestions here?

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            1. Delhidynamo
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Patricio instead of Hart maybe

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              1. That Was Easy!
                • 11 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                Just going by CS odds for the defense honestly, will take a look at CPL and HUD goal threat though.

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            2. That Was Easy!
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Would like to get some MU attack although they are hardly convincing, and probably impossible to pick.

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            3. Four Hit Wonder
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              ITB?

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              1. That Was Easy!
                • 11 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                Nothing, unfortunately my TV seems to be at 101.2, which is the SV of my old team (TV of 103.4)

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          17. rjcv177
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            King is going out for me.

            Would u get your crush for 3gws (deeney) or buy the one everybody will buy in the future (arnie coming in at gw11 anyway)?

            Even if deeney scores he will not have the same wave of arnie, making impossible any price rise.

            Thoughts?

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            1. Delhidynamo
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              You have a crush on Deeney?

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              1. MTPockets
                  7 years, 4 months ago

                  sloth fetish

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              2. LSK
                • 7 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                Just get Arnautovic or hold King until you want him. No need for a go between

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            2. Tommo1888
              • 16 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Jiménez or deeney ??

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              1. rjcv177
                • 10 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                deeney here...jimenez never in my thoughts 😉

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              2. That Was Easy!
                • 11 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                Jimenez’ stats are extremely
                Impressive over the last 4, was quite surprised when I took a look. I think Watford are on the decline, Holebas the only one I’d consider.

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              3. Monya Meow Meow
                • 7 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                I like Jim

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            3. Rohun
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Current Team:
              Patricio - Hart
              Alonso - Robbo - Chillwell - PVA - AWB
              Salah - Hazard - Dilva - Fraser - Stephens
              Aguero - Ings - Kamara

              Should I WC to this:
              Patricio - Hart
              Alonso - Robbo - Chillwell - DOHERTY - AWB
              MADDISON - Hazard - RICHARLISON - Fraser - Stephens
              Aguero - KANE - MITROVIC

              probably look to get Liverpool cover in a few weeks.

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              1. COYS Down Under
                • 10 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                In a few weeks after they've played Huddersfield and Cardiff? Bit late then.

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            4. Monya Meow Meow
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Probably the hardest GW yet for me in terms of picking my team. Need to bench one of the following:

              Robbo - City will most def score so he prob needs an assist or 2 to be in the points. Possible?

              Doherty - Solid team defensively and goes forward a lot, playing away though

              AWB - Same as Doherty but playing at home and is a BAPS magnet

              If it makes a diff, Pat is starting in goal for me over Foster. Hedge my bets and bench Doherty especially since I have Zaha starting as well?

              Some thoughts appreciated thanks.

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              1. spray
                • 7 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                I'm playing Wan-Bissaka. Bonus, home, against a promoted club, plus I feel they aren't the worst as an organised defense.

                I have Walker and am in a similar boat compared to Robertson. I think LIV MCI will be 1-1 similar to Chelsea last week. I think that the running defender will be pinned back, but... Walker has the form and I've invested the dollars, I'm not going to bench him.

                I'd still run Wan-Bissaka first and be happy with a decent first bench ready to come off the rank.

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                1. Monya Meow Meow
                  • 7 Years
                  7 years, 4 months ago

                  Thanks for your thoughts mate.
                  So should I drop Robbo or Doherty?

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              2. CRO KLOPP
                • 8 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                I have TAA, Doherty and AWB
                Starting AWB

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            5. +
              • 10 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Going with TAA on wildcard but kinda hope he gets a rest on Sunday. Form has dipped and looks like he needs a rest.

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              1. That Was Easy!
                • 11 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                Can’t see a rest in this game prior to the break

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            6. conew
              • 13 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Cech to:
              1. Rui Patricio
              2 Fabian

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            7. Little Frank
              • 15 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Ederson Hamer
              Alonso TAA Chilwell AWB Bennett
              Salah Mane Hazard Fraser Stephens
              Aguero Mitro Ings

              2FTs, just have enough to do Ederson -> Patricio and Fraser -> Maddison, rationale being I think Maddison is a decent long term pick as a 4th mid whereas I think the Fraser boat has sailed now.

              Decent moves?

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            8. Bonus magnet
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Please help choose starting 11
              Current pick is

              Hart
              Alonso Trippier Doherty
              Hazard(by)Maddison Rich Fraser
              Kane(c) Lacazette Mitrovic

              Fab AWB Laporte Gundogan

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              1. FPLShaqiri
                • 8 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                Nice headache to have, looks best 11 to me

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            9. Bob B
              • 12 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              DDG (NEW)
              Robertson (MCI) Alonso (sou) Trippier (CAR) AWB (WOL)
              Salah (MCI) Hazard (sou) Richarlison (lei) Fraser (wat)
              Aguero (liv) Mitrovic (ARS)
              _____________________________
              Hamer* Ings (CHE), Peltier* Stephens*

              Team good enough to make it through this gameweek?
              Rolling the transfer to bring in Patricio & TAA for DDG & Peltier next week

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            10. jumbob
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Hi guys!
              Which and who do you prefer?
              A) Walcott -> Lamela/Rich
              B) Mané -> Moura/Son/Willian
              C) Mané -> Sanchez (Massive punt)

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              1. jumbob
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                Only for 1 GW btw, WC next

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              2. Monya Meow Meow
                • 7 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                Definitely not C for sure.
                B doesn't seem like much of an upgrade as well and A feels too sideways.
                Save FT?

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                1. jumbob
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 7 Years
                  7 years, 4 months ago

                  Gonna WC next, so dont really want to save ft.
                  Idk if B is sideways given their fixtures this GW.
                  Agree that C is shite though, moment of weakness!

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              3. Bonus magnet
                • 9 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                A

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                1. jumbob
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 7 Years
                  7 years, 4 months ago

                  Leaning towards that, as I can see EVE struggling this GW, and Mané could hopefully get some returns.
                  I guess Lamela is more tempting than rich, but him playing AM instead of winger kinda bums me out

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            11. FPLShaqiri
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Deulofeu coming back - is this likely to impact Will Hughes?

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              1. FPLShaqiri
                • 8 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                Been trying to figure out how to get Hazard in and feel like with Watford's fixtures Fraser > Hughes could be the best way

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            12. Cookie Kid
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Play which 2:

              A) Doherty cry
              B) AWB WOL
              C) Fraser wat
              D) TAA MCI

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